The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published a Green Paper as part of the BBC Royal Charter Review. This process will shape the BBC’s role, funding and distribution model for the next Charter period and beyond, including decisions that could affect the future of free to air broadcasting and access to public service content.
Why this matters
The consultation goes directly to the heart of the issues many members have raised recently. In particular, it raises questions about universality, access, value for money and the balance between broadcast and internet-based delivery. While much of the current debate focuses on technological change and audience behaviour, the consultation is ultimately about whether the BBC continues to provide guaranteed, free at the point of use access to all licence fee payers, regardless of income, geography or digital capability. Decisions taken through this process will have long term consequences for digital inclusion, resilience and public consent for the BBC.
Why all voices are important
Government is keen to hear from a wide range of organisations and individuals, not just media and broadcasting specialists. Whatever your view on the future of the BBC, public consultation has caused changes to government proposals for charter reviews in the past, so your views can make a difference. Responses do not need to be technical or long. What matters is clearly explaining why universal access to public service media matters from your perspective and what risks (if any, in your view) arise if access becomes conditional on broadband subscriptions or digital capability.
Key themes members have raised previously:
• The importance of universal, free access to trusted public service content.
• The risk that moving to internet only delivery could exclude lower income households, older people, rural communities or others you work with.
• The role of the BBC and free to air broadcasting in supporting social cohesion, democratic participation and access to information.
• The importance of maintaining simple, reliable access to news and information, particularly during emergencies or periods of disruption.
You can respond to the consultation directly through the DCMS website or by emailing written responses to this email address:
It is also possible to respond by post, to this address:
BBC Charter Review Team
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on 10 March 2026.
Responses can be submitted by organisations or individuals and do not need to answer every question.
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